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sgt.colon

Joined: 27 Jul 2009
Posts: 7380
Location: Just south of north.

Posted: Tue Jan 19, 21 8:24 am Post subject:
I'm doing potatoes for the first time this year. Please could someone explain them to me? First earlies, second earlies? I understand the main crop bit though. Also, which are good ones to eat please, there are sooooooo many. Thanks.

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45676
Location: Essex

Posted: Tue Jan 19, 21 8:33 am Post subject:
I'd never get maincrops as blight will definitely get them. Anya- great salad/new potato, keeps really well Red Duke of York- good chips and jackets Yukon gold - best I ever grew for chips, good jackets too. Those are the three that spring to mind

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 16004

Posted: Tue Jan 19, 21 8:50 am Post subject:

I think it depends on your ground and weather. Although we are in the south, it isn't really safe to put them out in our colder microclimate before some time in April, depending on the way spring is looking, so I tend to go for main crop. I occasionally have trouble with blight, but rarely and if necessary dig them early.

First earlies will be the fasted to crop second earlies next. As Tahir says, they are not likely to suffer from blight as they come out early, but also should go in earlier.

For main crop I usually grow Desiree and King Edwards. King Edwards are an old variety and rather prone to blight, but I usually manage and they are an excellent potato for most things. Desiree are a red skinned variety and again a good all rounder. I think it is perhaps 50 or so years old, but I find it quite reliable.

Remember potatoes need a lot of water. If the summer is dry, the crop will be a lot less.

GrahamH

Joined: 23 May 2015
Posts: 523

Posted: Tue Jan 19, 21 9:25 am Post subject:
Sgt. Colon. One of my favourite meals is newly dug potatoes, boiled served with butter. On their own. Mmmm....

sgt.colon

Joined: 27 Jul 2009
Posts: 7380
Location: Just south of north.

Posted: Tue Jan 19, 21 9:38 am Post subject:
Thanks everyone I'll pick some of the ones you have recommended and try and remember to let you know how I get on.

GrahamH

Joined: 23 May 2015
Posts: 523

Posted: Tue Jan 19, 21 10:04 am Post subject:
Sgt Colon The first time I grew potatoes I followed traditional methods, double digging, good results but a lot of hard work. I suggest you look at raised beds or tubs. Good luck.

sgt.colon

Joined: 27 Jul 2009
Posts: 7380
Location: Just south of north.

Posted: Wed Jan 20, 21 9:52 am Post subject:
Graham, I double dug the beds two years ago. Would you suggest I do it again this year where the spuds are going?

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 16004

Posted: Wed Jan 20, 21 10:27 am Post subject:
I wouldn't bother. Admittedly I never get the best results, but if I did that they would be growing in rock chalk.

gz

Joined: 23 Jan 2009
Posts: 8961
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland

Posted: Wed Jan 20, 21 10:28 am Post subject:
Red Duke of York is lovely, far better than the white version. Saxon ok for big spuds but nothing special for taste

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46249
Location: yes

Posted: Wed Jan 20, 21 11:46 am Post subject:

sgt.colon wrote:

Graham, I double dug the beds two years ago. Would you suggest I do it again this year where the spuds are going?

if it is still fairly open i would plant and then earth up with used, non pre used for solanaceous "acidic" stuff ie old peat based compost

re dig it during/after harvest ready for the next rotation

sgt.colon

Joined: 27 Jul 2009
Posts: 7380
Location: Just south of north.

Posted: Thu Jan 21, 21 9:41 am Post subject:
Thanks peeps, glad I don't have to do it again so soon.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46249
Location: yes

Posted: Thu Jan 21, 21 10:27 am Post subject:
if it has been double dug and has food for worms they will do most of the future digging for you dig once, dig twice, hire worms for a small fee paid in wormfood

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 16004

Posted: Fri Jan 22, 21 7:46 am Post subject:
I either trench, moving the earth to the sides between the rows, and earth up with that, or partly trench and add compost as well as earth in the earthing up. As Dpack says, don't use compost or a bed that has been used for potatoes or tomatoes the previous year as that is a good way to encourage pests and diseases. I assume you have already got the idea of rotation of crops to minimise this.

sgt.colon

Joined: 27 Jul 2009
Posts: 7380
Location: Just south of north.

Posted: Fri Jan 22, 21 3:38 pm Post subject:
DPack, I'll have a chat to them and see what they fancy for their tea. I have, thank you MR. No spuds have been grown on the plot since 2017 and then they were grown over the other side as to where I'm going to plant mine.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46249
Location: yes

Posted: Fri Jan 22, 21 9:12 pm Post subject:
part rotted compost is good currency

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